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The United States has a long standing tradition of privately financed political campaigns, and also attempts at political campaign finance reform for just as long. However, it has only been in recent years that political campaign finance reform has had an impact on the elections of politicians.

On January 19, 1999 the bipartisan campaign reform act, was introduced to congress by, senators John McCain, and Russ Feingold. The provisions of the McCain-Feingold bill include above all, a ban on “soft money.” “Soft money” as it is called, are political donations made in such a way as to avoid federal regulations or limits. This type of donation is accomplished by donating to a party organization rather than to a particular candidate or campaign. However, on March 21, 2002 after being approved by the senate by a 60-40 vote, the ban on “soft money” now heads to the white house for approval.Read more…